Congratulations, Class of 2025! My students have been busy with yearbook signings, performances, senior week, prom, and graduation, and I’m so excited for all of you as you prepare to take your next steps!Whether you’re heading to college, taking a gap year, or pursuing another path, this is a time to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished. It’s also a big transition—for you and your families—and that can bring both excitement and uncertainty.

As you wrap up high school, take care of a few final tasks: check your school email and archive anything you want to keep before accounts are closed, update any logins that use your school address, and confirm that your final transcript is sent to your college. Then stay on top of summer to-dos from your campus, including registering for housing, orientation, and fall classes, and other important details to ensure things go smoothly.

This is also the time to start building habits that will support your success in college. Take care of your physical and mental health, plan your time wisely, and don’t be afraid to seek support. Take advantage of campus resources like tutoring or writing centers, and attend office hours—I recommend going at least once for every class in the first week or two of the semester, just to introduce yourself to the professor. And check out this guidance on finding a therapist if you’ve benefited from counseling before. Also remember that bumps in the road are normal. A rocky start doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice. You’ve navigated challenges in your high school experience, and what you’ve learned from those experiences will help you thrive in college.  Click here and scroll down for more of my advice on navigating this transition.

This is my final message to the Class of 2025. I’ve enjoyed working with so many of you, and I hope you’ll keep in touch and let me know how things unfold, especially if I can be helpful. Wishing you joy, success, and adventure in this exciting new chapter!